Backyard chickens-who has them and do your neighbors care?

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't quite get this thread. Granted, it has been very entertaining, but I'm not sure I understand the point. You asked if anyone has chickens and what their neighbors think. It sounds like few, if any, actually have them, but people are trying to give you a good idea of what your neighbors might think (because they think the same thing), yet you are defensive and a complete know it all. I think your neighbors will hate it because if you act like you are on here toward them, they will think you are a jerk.

I think chickens are the new trendy thing and it will be interesting to see where all of these hipster chickens end up in a few years and what people do with them when they stop laying eggs (if they can stand them that long). But whatever, it's your life. Enjoy your chickens, but do be considerate of your neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don't quite get this thread. Granted, it has been very entertaining, but I'm not sure I understand the point. You asked if anyone has chickens and what their neighbors think. It sounds like few, if any, actually have them, but people are trying to give you a good idea of what your neighbors might think (because they think the same thing), yet you are defensive and a complete know it all. I think your neighbors will hate it because if you act like you are on here toward them, they will think you are a jerk.

I think chickens are the new trendy thing and it will be interesting to see where all of these hipster chickens end up in a few years and what people do with them when they stop laying eggs (if they can stand them that long). But whatever, it's your life. Enjoy your chickens, but do be considerate of your neighbors.

+1.

The question as posed was how will neighbors react? I think OP should understand now that she's probably not going to feel a warm embrace if she proceeds with this, ahem, "adventure."

Your second point is a good one too. This reminds me of the rush to by puppies after 101 Dalmations. What happens to the chickens when people discover they are in over their heads.

Also, I have another question: If you have chickens, who cares for them when you go on vacation? Or do you not going on vacation anymore if you have chickens? Somehow I don't think it'll be your neighbors if you've alienated them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don't quite get this thread. Granted, it has been very entertaining, but I'm not sure I understand the point. You asked if anyone has chickens and what their neighbors think. It sounds like few, if any, actually have them, but people are trying to give you a good idea of what your neighbors might think (because they think the same thing), yet you are defensive and a complete know it all. I think your neighbors will hate it because if you act like you are on here toward them, they will think you are a jerk.

I think chickens are the new trendy thing and it will be interesting to see where all of these hipster chickens end up in a few years and what people do with them when they stop laying eggs (if they can stand them that long). But whatever, it's your life. Enjoy your chickens, but do be considerate of your neighbors.

I am also confused by the point of the thread. OP seems to want to raise a couple chickens in her backyard "just for fun", so why ask a DCUM board for objective feedback and experiences if OP is just going to have a hissy fit and ridicule collateral damage.

But thanks for the laugh this morning everyone!

[Anonymous]

My neighbor next door has chickens and we didn't even know it for 6 months. They are pretty quiet and apparently they are docile enough that the young boys in the house on the other side are able to take care of them when the neighbors are away. I have eaten the eggs and they are not tiny or green. No idea how much it costs my neighbor to raise her chickens but they produce delicious eggs!

[Anonymous]

I know three people who have/had backyard chickens. Two live in suburbia, but are very very crunchy types who find a lot of enjoyment, and devote a ton of energy, in living as close to the land as possible in that kind of environment (i.e. the kind of people who dry their own herbs, make their own jam, and are willing to eat the non-layers when the time comes). The third was a conservative home-schooling mom, who got the chickens mostly for the kids -- and after a year of posting facebook pictures of every single "wonderful new chick" and egg -- finally threw in the towel and found them a new home.

There's definitely something to be said for farm- (er, backyard???) fresh eggs. The stuff at Whole Foods doesn't even hold a candle to them. However, I'd really be sure you know what you are getting into. And yes, some varieties do lay green eggs....

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don't quite get this thread. Granted, it has been very entertaining, but I'm not sure I understand the point. You asked if anyone has chickens and what their neighbors think. It sounds like few, if any, actually have them, but people are trying to give you a good idea of what your neighbors might think (because they think the same thing), yet you are defensive and a complete know it all. I think your neighbors will hate it because if you act like you are on here toward them, they will think you are a jerk.

I think chickens are the new trendy thing and it will be interesting to see where all of these hipster chickens end up in a few years and what people do with them when they stop laying eggs (if they can stand them that long). But whatever, it's your life. Enjoy your chickens, but do be considerate of your neighbors.

+1.

The question as posed was how will neighbors react? I think OP should understand now that she's probably not going to feel a warm embrace if she proceeds with this, ahem, "adventure."

Your second point is a good one too. This reminds me of the rush to by puppies after 101 Dalmations. What happens to the chickens when people discover they are in over their heads.

Also, I have another question: If you have chickens, who cares for them when you go on vacation? Or do you not going on vacation anymore if you have chickens? Somehow I don't think it'll be your neighbors if you've alienated them.

OP here. How did this thread turn into a sneaky hate spiral?! I'm not intentionally trying to be defensive or "a jerk". I think people are confused, because the last several pages have been mostly the same two people taking pot shots at an endeavor they have never experienced themselves or another possibility is that, they are ranting on about how their family or neighbor mistakenly did it -and how I don't understand how hard it's going to be. Of course there are those comments claiming "only poor people do this", "it's harmful" or somehow I'll end up in the hospital with stitches! I personally think this is ridiculous and I called them on it. I haven't read to many here with first-hand accounts...but that's what I was really asking for and then crazy chicken-haters chimed in. On the other hand, there have been many, many posters with helpful information and supportive words. Thank you to those people. This has been errr, enlightening to say the least!

My question was not meant to be two-parts. I was asking if YOU DO in fact have a chicken, (which I quickly found was nobody here) then have your neighbors noticed and do they even care? Just curious who else does this really..I don't care what they think of the practice itself. I ask out of curiosity like all the other threads on DCUM. I plan to tell my neighbors ahead of time anyway and offer them fresh eggs. They have been very hospitable, laid back people with whom we've had a great time with in the past. BBQ's, pool parties, playdates, ect. I would hope they are honest with me as some of you have been here. I was thought this might not be a problem since I can hardly see my neighbors, they are so far removed from our home. It's a good-sized chunk of land in our minds, the back yard is 1/2 acre but the house is built on a much larger plat of land. I wouldn't give out all of my personal details here.

The notion of being stuck with chickens is crazy. If I don't eat them first, there are Ag fairs, exchanges on line, I can sell them or give them away to those looking for hens nearby. If I go on some fancy "hacienda" soon I'll pay a friend or neighbor to check in on them those days, no big deal as long as they keep fresh feed and water out. You can buy automatic feeders and an automatic door that opens and closes on a timer. I think that would work. I'm on vacation every day, baby

10:03 & 09:14, 07:04, 03:31, plenty of considerate posters here. Thanks. I believe I do understand what this entails. I love that people assume I've never touched a chicken before and somehow have decided I'm some crunchy SAHM organic, hippie, tree-hugging suburbanite soccer mom. Sort of annoying if I'm a guy, right? Off to grab me some green eggs and ham, Sam I Am...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don't quite get this thread. Granted, it has been very entertaining, but I'm not sure I understand the point. You asked if anyone has chickens and what their neighbors think. It sounds like few, if any, actually have them, but people are trying to give you a good idea of what your neighbors might think (because they think the same thing), yet you are defensive and a complete know it all. I think your neighbors will hate it because if you act like you are on here toward them, they will think you are a jerk.

I think chickens are the new trendy thing and it will be interesting to see where all of these hipster chickens end up in a few years and what people do with them when they stop laying eggs (if they can stand them that long). But whatever, it's your life. Enjoy your chickens, but do be considerate of your neighbors.

+1.

The question as posed was how will neighbors react? I think OP should understand now that she's probably not going to feel a warm embrace if she proceeds with this, ahem, "adventure."

Your second point is a good one too. This reminds me of the rush to by puppies after 101 Dalmations. What happens to the chickens when people discover they are in over their heads.

Also, I have another question: If you have chickens, who cares for them when you go on vacation? Or do you not going on vacation anymore if you have chickens? Somehow I don't think it'll be your neighbors if you've alienated them.

OP here. How did this thread turn into a sneaky hate spiral?! I'm not intentionally trying to be defensive or "a jerk". I think people are confused, because the last several pages have been mostly the same two people taking pot shots at an endeavor they have never experienced themselves or another possibility is that, they are ranting on about how their family or neighbor mistakenly did it -and how I don't understand how hard it's going to be. Of course there are those comments claiming "only poor people do this", "it's harmful" or somehow I'll end up in the hospital with stitches! I personally think this is ridiculous and I called them on it. I haven't read to many here with first-hand accounts...but that's what I was really asking for and then crazy chicken-haters chimed in. On the other hand, there have been many, many posters with helpful information and supportive words. Thank you to those people. This has been errr, enlightening to say the least!

My question was not meant to be two-parts. I was asking if YOU DO in fact have a chicken, (which I quickly found was nobody here) then have your neighbors noticed and do they even care? Just curious who else does this really..I don't care what they think of the practice itself. I ask out of curiosity like all the other threads on DCUM. I plan to tell my neighbors ahead of time anyway and offer them fresh eggs. They have been very hospitable, laid back people with whom we've had a great time with in the past. BBQ's, pool parties, playdates, ect. I would hope they are honest with me as some of you have been here. I was thought this might not be a problem since I can hardly see my neighbors, they are so far removed from our home. It's a good-sized chunk of land in our minds, the back yard is 1/2 acre but the house is built on a much larger plat of land. I wouldn't give out all of my personal details here.

The notion of being stuck with chickens is crazy. If I don't eat them first, there are Ag fairs, exchanges on line, I can sell them or give them away to those looking for hens nearby. If I go on some fancy "hacienda" soon I'll pay a friend or neighbor to check in on them those days, no big deal as long as they keep fresh feed and water out. You can buy automatic feeders and an automatic door that opens and closes on a timer. I think that would work. I'm on vacation every day, baby

10:03 & 09:14, 07:04, 03:31, plenty of considerate posters here. Thanks. I believe I do understand what this entails. I love that people assume I've never touched a chicken before and somehow have decided I'm some crunchy SAHM organic, hippie, tree-hugging suburbanite soccer mom. Sort of annoying to a guy right? Off to grab me some green eggs and ham, Sam I Am...

[Anonymous]

My apologies for the double post (darn phone).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Whatever, man. I didn't know this was a thread for "credibility." Credibility for what? This is an exciting backyard adventure! Have you done this for a living? It doesn't sound like it- you must be such the expert if you have to "take me to your buddies" house to show me how its done. Umm, no thanks. And I think you confusing aggressiveness in all chickens with what BREED. Yes, some are raised as fighting chickens, some for meat, some for egg producers, ect. Anyone can look that up. I don't need to "talk to people" to realize you have no idea what you're talking about. Egg shell comment is ignorant. Some lay brown, white and shades of the two. There is Amercauna "easter eggers" that lays colors, but tiny green? Bantams/easter egger chicken? Yeah, never heard of that one. I don't care what the numbers are, I have the $$.
BUT I'm learning as I go and I'll have to make real sure I don't accidentally mail order me up of some of those tiny, green-egged, man-eating, devil chickens, ok? Thanks for the heads up.
Now, please bug off.

Friends in Germany keep chickens in a fairly dense urban area (they have a backyard, but not a big one.) They're doing great. They have small kids and none of them has had any issues with the monster-chickens a PP imagined. I think it's a great idea, PP, and your family will be healthier for it. (as I'm sure you know, pastured chicken eggs have a MUCH better nutritional profile than factory eggs)

I've seen green eggs (normal-sized) I bought some at the farmer's market, where one seller was bright enough to market them as "Green eggs" (another just mixed them in with the regular eggs, which wasn't as effective since people thought maybe something was wrong with them instead of finding them special) They're fun around easter. And they tasted good. Go for it OP! (I hope to, also)

[Anonymous]

11:42- Thanks, PP! I read somewhere the fresh eggs were better to eat. The only green or colored eggs I've heard of come from Easter-Egger (americauna chickens) but I know they exist..and that's cool. I'm hoping to find some Buff Orpington's or Golden Comets. They are reportedly docile and kid-frendly from everything that I can find. Please come back and share your experience, I would love to hear how it goes. Good luck to you!

fur fun:

[Anonymous]

Omg, having chickens in the backyard and eggs would be so, so cool!! You would be the coolest person in the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

NP - I think you're being very considerate informing your neighbors. Some will likely be supportive. Others will be able to program animal control in their phone proactively. In my dense suburban neighborhood, we have several people who keep chickens. Most start off with good intentions and kept their coops clean, sanitary, and put in the hard work involved. After a couple of years, they have devolved into "forgetting" to lock the coop, "not noticing" the fence damage, or other such things. Animal control is now in the neighborhood on a weekly basis rounding up the stray chickens, the corpses leftover from fox and bird attacks, or issuing citations.

I hope OP that you keep up with the maintenance, for your sake and your neighbors. But as many of these responses show, there is a valid and healthy skepticism, that experience has shown is perfectly justified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP - I think you're being very considerate informing your neighbors. Some will likely be supportive. Others will be able to program animal control in their phone proactively. In my dense suburban neighborhood, we have several people who keep chickens. Most start off with good intentions and kept their coops clean, sanitary, and put in the hard work involved. After a couple of years, they have devolved into "forgetting" to lock the coop, "not noticing" the fence damage, or other such things. Animal control is now in the neighborhood on a weekly basis rounding up the stray chickens, the corpses leftover from fox and bird attacks, or issuing citations.

I hope OP that you keep up with the maintenance, for your sake and your neighbors. But as many of these responses show, there is a valid and healthy skepticism, that experience has shown is perfectly justified.

OP here. Thank You PP. Luckily, I do not live in a dense suburban neighborhood where I would expect that to be most troublesome. Again, all these problems you listed could be avoided if people just took care of their animals. This goes without saying, but any animals I would think deserve proper care and management. Are there people out there who abuse their pets? Sure there are.
What do you think about the people who have far to many 100+lb dogs for their space in their town homes? Years ago I had a particular neighbor that did not scoop their poop, let them go in everyone's yard (including the sidewalks), left all of them outside in their yard to bark all day and night. That wasn't very considerate. I found it to be abusive to dismiss their dogs outside all day and night lonely for company and exercise. They had animal control over all the time for noise complaints and for attacking a neighbor's dog. Their yard was nasty smelling from where they piled up excrement in corners. Yucko! And all this was in a nice suburban neighborhood with HOA. That one bad experience does not lead me to believe that all other dog owners would behave in such poor manner. I appreciate the concern and I understand why some would worry especially after a horrible experience some have had. Trust the Chicken Lady or Man, whichever you prefer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, no plans on eating the chickens but will love me some fresh, organic eggs that I KNOW are organic because I raised them. I think it's cool that they will free range in plenty of space and my child will learn about something unique and have a neat experience. For me it's a hobby and something I want to do. I'm really not surprised by some comments that chickens are "gross" and you can catch "xyz"-all of which are hilarious to me. Ignorance.

If you are managing the chicken coop well and don't have way too many chickens they shouldn't smell at all.If you smell chickens, you smell mis-management. To the PP above, if your FIL had secured his coop with proper chicken wire and a protected run that should not have occurred really. But there are predators out there just as alligators prey on people's little dogs is southern states. I don't think that means they shouldn't have dogs anymore. They should protect their pets.

In my experience here, people have a negative connotation associated with chickens. Last time I brought it up to someone they exclaimed, "Oh if that's something YOU'RE into, then good for you" in a condescending tone. I really wish people were more open-minded. We are not poor, quite the contrary

Then, one poster here has chickens?! I wonder if my neighbors will be opposed so they are not associated with "the chickens next door"? Hmmm

What will you do with the hens when they can no longer lay eggs?